Dear Parents/Guardians,

In Grade 3, students learn how diverse individuals have changed their communities and world. Students study the effects inspiring heroes have had on communities, past and present. Students learn about the lives of heroic men and women who made important choices, overcame obstacles, sacrificed for the betterment of others, and embarked on journeys that resulted in new ideas, new inventions, new technologies, and new communities. Students expand their knowledge through the identification and study of people who made a difference, influenced public policy and decision making, and participated in resolving issues that are important to all people. Throughout Grade 3, students develop an understanding of the economic, cultural, and scientific contributions made by individuals.

We will be covering the following units the first nine weeks:

Unit 1: Community Development

This unit focuses on building the skills that allow students to describe and locate communities on maps and globes.

Unit 2: Citizen Responsibility/Citizen Heroes/Celebrate Freedom/Columbus Day

The focus of this unit is on individuals and historic figures who have exemplified good citizenship and on organizations that serve the common good.

Hispanic Heritage Enrichment Unit

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. September is significant because it is the anniversary month of independence for many Latin American Countries and Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza, falls within this 30-day period.

Unit 3: Government/Elections

In this unit, students learn how ideas about government and citizen participation affect the structure and function of government in a community.

Celebrate Freedom will take place the week of September 12-16. Students will be exposed to the intent, meaning and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts.

Throughout the first nine weeks grading period, student knowledge and understanding will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as:

  • Interacting with Academic Vocabulary
  • Thinking Maps/Graphic Organizers
  • Summarizing
  • Using of Maps
  • Marking the Text
  • Collaborative Learning
  • Analyzing Primary & Secondary Sources
  • Quick Writes
  • Pair/Share
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Identifying Bias in History
  • Making Connections to Future Historical Events and Present Situations
  • Formative & Summative Assessments
  • Share the Pen Sentence Starters
  • Story Starters
  • My StorySpark Electronic/Paper
  • Response Writing
  • Open Ended Question Response
  • Journal Entries
  • Diary Entry
  • Timeline-Event Descriptions

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your student. We look forward to working with you and your child to ensure academic success.

Respectfully,

Grade 3 Social Studies Teachers

Grade 3Social Studies 1st 9 Weeks